The "thing" Tiffany is referring to is the speed-hungry 2012 Lexus IS F sedan. Yes, I drove the IS F quite a bit a few years ago, when our 2008 IS F long-term tester resided in the MT garage. I admired that car for its torquey attitude and luxurious accoutrements, but it wasn't exactly surefooted and its ride wasn't all that supple, to name but a few niggles. It wasn't a sedan you wanted to drive "a bunch of times" unless you had to, especially on L.A.'s clogged, unkempt paths."Technically speaking, I haven't," I respond.

With that simple answer -- and a few grumbles from the lady -- we set off on a half-day adventure, searching for a proper pavement playground for this 416-horsepower sled. Forty minutes east of San Diego, just past Pine Valley -- a sleepy town at the base of the 6000-foot Mount Laguna -- we found the perfect serpentine path.

Climbing behind the IS F's leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel, it's hard not to recall a few memories of our old long-termer. First, it was (and is) one of the most fuel-efficient high-performance sedans around. Compared to the BMW M3 (14/20 city/highway mpg) and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (13/19), the IS F boasts the best EPA ratings (16/23), and our long-termer averaged 19 mpg during its one-year loan (our long-term 2009 M3 averaged just 16 mpg). Second, the 2008 F, with its eight-speed automatic, was obnoxiously fast in a straight line, thanks to rapid downshifts that kept the 5.0-liter V-8 in its broad torque band. Further, when riled, the IS F sounded, well, extremely angry, which only heightened the appeal of the attention-grabbing muscular fenders, super-sized Brembo brakes, slammed stance, and forged 19-inch wheels.

But our long-term IS F wasn't perfect. The most notable gripes included a stiff ride that nearly loosened fillings, an electrically boosted helm that proved too light and synthetic, and brake rotors that squealed like piglets. That's not all. It understeered at the limit, which meant its tail loved to wag under hard braking. This in and of itself hindered the IS F's chances at overthrowing the undisputed king of the elite four-doors, the BMW M3.Resting at the base of Mount Laguna, strapped into the 2012 F's beautifully stitched F-branded bucket seat, I toggle the steering-wheel mounted Sport mode and slide the gearshift into Manual (together they dial down the electronic steering assist, sharpen the throttle/gearbox mapping, and loosen up the traction control settings). Time to give the all-aluminum V-8 a big dose of throttle.

Above 3600 rpm, the stacked tailpipes ditch their civilized rumble for a throaty Super GT war cry. Producing such a demonstrative bellow and more mid- to high-range power requires an opening of the second intake hidden within the right front wheel well. Cross the barrel-chested rumbles of a Mercedes-Benz SLS with the metallic roars of an Audi R8 4.2, and you'll understand the tones permeating my ear canals.

The IS F's rear 255/35R-19 Michelin Pilot Sports barely chirp during their search for grip, but once they grab, the 3800-pound Lexus needs a mere 4.5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. While I won't get to experience the thrills of a quarter-mile blast today, our test crew recorded a run of 12.9 seconds at 111.4 mph, which is nearly on par with that of the aforementioned long-term M3 (12.7 at 110.6).Graciously, Lexus and Brembo have endowed the IS F with substantial braking abilities. Halting from 60 mph takes 105 feet (same as the M3), thanks in large part to the huge 14.2-inch front/13.6-inch rear rotors and six-piston front/two-piston rear calipers. On the skidpad, the IS F averaged 0.96 g of stick, putting it ahead of such big league players as the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe (0.94 g), Cadillac CTS-V sedan (0.95 g), and yes, the BMW M3 sedan (0.94 g).Improving upon our long-term IS F's figure-eight number by a full second and 0.07 g (24.8 seconds at 0.79 g compared to the old 25.8 seconds at 0.72 g) took significant tuning on Lexus' part. For model year 2011 and beyond, chief engineer Yukihiko Yaguchi introduced new nutrients to his baby's formula, namely stiffer front and rear spring/damper calibrations, larger anti-roll bars, thicker bushings, longer bump stops, and revised power steering logarithms. He also gave the IS F a standard-issue Torsen limited slip differential. Since they were deemed up to snuff, the team left the 90-degree eight-cylinder and paddle-activated gearbox untouched.On east San Diego's mountaintop roads, Yaguchi's simple tweaks render drastic improvements. The IS F's electro-boosted helm now responds as a proper sport sedan's should -- direct, communicative, silky smooth, and organic -- which is key to the quicker, highly responsive lateral jinks the F performs on its forged BBS footwear. At my wannabe Senna limits, the Lexus loses much, but not all, of its usual snowplow behavior. Kill the computer-programmed nannies associated with the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system, and the IS F turns into a slide-happy beast that is nevertheless easily controlled via the 371 lb-ft of torque.

Yaguchi also paid special attention to the F's interior. A central tachometer sits squarely below the driver's line of sight, making it easy to utilize on a fast-paced outing. Near the 5000-rpm hash, LED shift lights turn neon orange for the sake of the V-8's livelihood and longevity. Nearer to the 6800 rpm redline, they turn OMG-you'd-better-pull-that-right-paddle red.Gatling gun-like shifts in 0.1-second increments have me thinking this regular automatic must have another clutch hiding somewhere. Delectable WOMMMMP! WOMMMP! exhaust barks follow every auto rev-matched downshift, which on my 25-mile run make me feel like a 24 Hours of Nuerburgring racer.Twenty-four miles into our hour-long 4000-foot climb and descent, after countless bends and redlined straightaways, the Brembos continue their barrage of hard bites without wane or squeal, and the smooth V-8 pulls just as powerfully as it did in Pine Valley. Amazingly, the 5.0-liter's oil temperature gauge hasn't flashed once, nor has its coolant gauge glowed red -- true testaments to this car's brutal development regime and high pain thresholds.Yaguchi-san hasn't merely transformed the IS F into a more astute gripper. No, he's morphed it into a true M3 chaser, and quite possibly, a legitimate mauler of Munich's (and Stuttgart's) current best. Nowadays it properly orchestrates its power and speed with admirable agility and livable ride quality. For an updated first-generation player, this Lexus has what it takes to make M and AMG quiver; that is, until the new batch of Germans arrives. Would I happily drive this Lexus "a bunch of times" more? (IS) F yes.

Just picked one up and love it. Considered 4 important points: Luxury (Comfort and quality), Engine, Transmission, Handling.Drove the M3 and the C63. Not into the Audi as i so not want an AWD. The F was easily the best interior qualtiy, exterior quality and handling (not track, but daily driving). Prefer the torquey engine of the F over the M3 for non-track driving. AMG surely has the most fun engine but suffers everywhere else. Love the shifter, surely the best non-dual-clutch shifter (I have a PDK Boxster Spyder). AMG shifter is poor (if you are used to manual or dual clutch), did not want to pay premium for M3 dual clutch and do not believe that a manual belongs in a luxury super sedan.Cheers.

I dunno......to each his-her own. They're all badass, and I'd gladly pay for either. But when I had a choice between five CPO vehicle locally (S. Florida) 3-M3s, 1-ISF, 1-C63 -- all around $50K, my choice was the most insane of the three, the AMG. Full Disclosure: Been following AMGs running DTM since the 80s. And I like AMG's engineering philosophy. Next up: M3, whom we all know commands respect and is probably the best all-arounder. But they're a dime-a-dozen; won't have any problem finding one. But if anything from those mfgs. (and Audi) can - and HAS - beat the M3 in a comparo? Don't even think about it.......AMG ONLY.

Nice car IS-F; but it the size of a 3 series. Very, very small inside. I drove one when it first came out and the dealership was marking it up over retail by $15K! That cool my impulse and never looked back at this car! Now; it looks quite old and unappealing. I am thinking it was 2006? when it was intro-ed! I must have been crazy to try to do the negotiation at $5K over retail sticker! The funny thing looking back was the dealership never call me back and make a counter offer! LOL! I was a complete fool! They could of make like around $9K too!

anoldbikeguy, doesn't the aurora have a 4L V8 vs the es 3L V6? in general, gm and the european cars have widers tires than the japanese counterparts. the es had 205 tires, the aurora at least 225 if not 235 tires. i am sure the aurora is way ahead in performance, but i can't imagine it being more comfortable. lexus is known for making the softest riding cars outside of older lincolns and cadillacs..

BD:Aurora sold well for years after it debuted. They even had a commercial touting how it outsold a host of competing cars. Interior was very high quality. They stopped making oldsmobile which is why the car went away. The 2001 model got high praise from the press and C&D said it was the closest Gm had come to building a Lexus. The 2nd gen car had a GREAT interior for that era. Aurora also handled better than any FWD lexus ever did or has since. It pulled .85g on the skidpad which was impressive 10 years ago.

BD, BD, BD - now you have gone over the deep end - "BlackDynamiteNYC - Today 04:08 PMViccusOlds Aurora was a decent reverse-engineered Xerox copy, with a Pontiac interiorYou have clearly never sat in, let alone driven an Olds Aurora. I had a gen 2 2001 - a colleague had a 20012 Lexus ES300.The Aurora was faster, handled better, had a HUGELY better interior, including butter soft leather, real burled walnut trim, far more advanced features - just to name a few, memory seats/mirrors/audio settings/rain sensing wipers/dual zone auto climate control/sun load sensing climate control and on and on ... the Lexus was down on power features, styling - subjective, sure, but look at both and really??? Plus the Aurora handled far better and was more comfortable in every way, shape or form!!Really, BD - you need to pick your targets better - this was a clear LOSE for Lexus!!!

This is a cool car but for some reason the IS-F has always been my least favorite among the high-performance premium compact sedans. Its design is way too bland for a performance-oriented car and nothing about this car impresses me all that much. Everything about this car from looks to performance is starting to show its age.

ViccusOlds Aurora was a decent reverse-engineered Xerox copy, with a Pontiac interiorPeople would rather buy the original. That was the "magic".The Buick Riviera and Reundevous were Buick's Lexus copies of much lower quality......BD

I remember when the original Lexus LS came out GM wanted to compete, so they came out with the Olds Aurora. It matched or exceeded the Lexus in all the measured tests however it just didnt have the magic. Thats how I see this car. Its just not an M3, RS4, or even a CTS-V... Stick to the blue hairs Lexus.

This car is BOSS!Lighter, more agile, and even better on gas than the others!It has EPIC style compared to the "Competition".And.......built like a Lexus.'Nuff saidThe Total Package!The Jeremy Lin of Sports SedansLex-cellence!BD

I really dont mean to bag on this car but, It really is an overpriced Toyota with and ugly L on it. The only reason why it has reliability and quality is because it's a toyota. Whereas Mercedes and BMW are independent companies.

This car is basically a Toyota 2000 GT... in 40 years it will be worth something due to its rarity, but for the time being, the consumers are still choosing against it while M3's are (comparatively) purchased in droves. However, the next generation of this car could be something more interesting to see...

Once BMW returns to inline six power for the M3, everyone else will be playing catch up (again), provided proper attention is payed to the music it makes !! I will say that Lexus has made impressive progress with the IS-F, which is now the car it should have been from the start !!

SWEET CAR !I LOVE the ISF and everything about. I would pick it over the M3 without a second thought. In the right hands and a good driver this car can beat the M3 and C63 on the track... in fact the ISF has already put down better track times then the C63 in its 2011 model and matched the M3 time in a test a saw a while back. This 2012 model is sure to be on par or better.Best Luxury and build quailty and it will last YEARS longer then the M3 and C63. Its more rare, better looking has great vaule... can you say WIN ?For those saying Lexus caught up but theres new M3 and C63 coming... there will be a new ISF coming also being that Lexus is soon to release the new IS

I currently drive an M3, love the car but it's not as reliable as my past Lexus's i've owned(electronic wise, and few mechanical).Love the the ISF(I grew up in a Lexus/Toyota Family), but i'm not sold until they offer it in a proper manual transmission. Paddle shifters take the passion and connectivity out of the sporty driving experience. Your shifts and lap times may be flawless but there's no substitute for heel toe shifting. Just offer a manual option in limited numbers Lexus. I'm sure you'll have more takers. BMW M cars has always offered this option, maybe thats why they have so many purists and enthusiast until this day(Motorsports and Street). Maybe you can break the "old person car" stigma by doing so. C'mon Lexus, you know you want to ;)

"he's morphed it into a true M3 chaser"....That's right! Chaser it is and will always be as long as M3 is still in production....also isn't it kind of lame that Lexus still can't build a real manual to handle 400hp?

C&D has already put the updated ISF on the track at VIR- it got close to the V's time but was slower. I think it was less than 2secs off the pace of the V. Even with a 400lb weight advantage the ISF isnt faster on a track. Just doesnt have enough hp. 416hp isnt what it used to be. Camaro has 426 and Mustang has 412 for under $35k.

I think those are pretty good numbers given the HP deficit. My money would still be with Cadillac, mainly because they make a beast of a wagon. Although, realistically, I would go for the V6, automatic, and AWD wagon.

@BD your a joke sometimes.... "Cts-v can't handle!" Seriously ? ?? "Everyone knows that" hahaha do you live in your own little world????I Got a chance to test drive one of this when I used to bring in my car for service ( used to own a 2007 IS) and it was fun!! I like them but I like the old tachometers style better! Although I have to say with cars like the cts-v out there for the same price this would be a hard buy. But a cool car for sure! Oh and the the regular IS does the yellow red light for the rpm as well... You can actually hold a gear and bounce off the red line unlike other car which is cool, I know for a fact they C class would step in and change it for you .

The CTS-V would crush this thing, and for those that say it can't out handle the Lexus - check out the Ring times. It's not all about Gs and slalom numbers, that's what armchair racers judge cars by...

@BlackDynamiteNYC ... infact CTS-V is not about straights, its all about bends. That tells how much u actually know about CTS-V. U just talk without credibility ...pls go read all about CTS-V again. Nurburgring is NOT about straights. And CTS-V outshined everything in its class there. CTS-V features MRC suspension which Ferrari borrowed from GM. Get the facts right.

BD, if it was "ends in the bends" the CTS-V wouldn't have held the sedan 'Ring record for so long, only to fall to a sedan twice its price. Any car guy also knows that the CTS is truly a 5-series sized car, not 3-Series. If/when the ATS-V hits the streets, we'll have a real competition on our hands.

All this talk about how the new Ms and AMGs are about to come out well This car(the IS not IS-F) came out 7 years ago and the ALL NEW ONE is coming out soon and there fore an all new IS-F will also be on the way. You all should know that.And by the way the 2012 C63 AMG even with its 500 hp still couldn't match the times recorded by the IS-F and M3 regarding CarandDriver's 2012 edition of their Lightning Laps tests. Lexus is quickly proving they know how to make sport luxury.